SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — Madison
Madison, WI · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Madison, WI is $42,960 per year, 14.7% above the national median of $37,450.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Madison, WI is $42,960 per year, 14.7% above the national median of $37,450. Half of workers earn between $37,510 and $45,690. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $34,050 and the ninetieth at $48,440.
Employment stands at 1,030, or 2.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, La Crosse records the highest median at $39,050. Of the 534 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 460th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,050 | −9.1% |
| 25th | $37,510 | +0.2% |
| Median (50th) | $42,960 | +14.7% |
| 75th | $45,690 | +22.0% |
| 90th | $48,440 | +29.3% |
| Mean | $42,010 | +12.2% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Crosse | $39,050 | 310 | |
| 2 | Milwaukee | $38,980 | 2,710 | |
| 3 | Racine | $38,880 | 250 | |
| 4 | Green Bay | $38,640 | 480 | |
| 5 | Oshkosh | $38,530 | 240 | |
| 6 | Janesville | $38,440 | 210 | |
| 7 | Wausau | $38,170 | 160 | |
| 8 | Kenosha | $38,150 | 240 | |
| 9 | Appleton | $38,110 | 340 | |
| 10 | Eau Claire | $37,990 | 330 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Madison run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $42,960 goes as far as $45,654 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 21.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$42,960as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$45,654US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $42,960 a year, 14.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,050 to $48,440 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,030 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is La Crosse, at $39,050.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Madison, WI?
The median annual wage is $42,960, or $20.65 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $37,450, so pay in Madison, WI is 14.7% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Madison, WI earns more than $48,440 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,050 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in La Crosse, at $39,050 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,030 jobs in this occupation in Madison, WI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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